The third plan…

Well, the rewriting process has started. This has led me to reflect on the age old question of methodology.

Back in my first year of university, in my first semester, we had a short two- week course on methodology, or to be more precise: how to write essays on a university level. French professors are great sticklers for “le fond” (content) et “la forme” (the form), and not doing either one properly would give you a failing grade or the much despised 9/20 (in France they grade out of 20 not 100.) We were taught that each essay had to have two parts plus a five stage introduction and each part should have two parts. Sometimes you could have a conclusion and of course each part and sub-section had to have a title and transition phrases between the titles and subtitles. This leads to the hardest part of writing an essay or judgment commentary, coming up with the plan. Our methodology teacher informed us that there were three types of plans: bad plan, usual plan and the original plan. A bad plan would simply lead to getting 3 or 4 out of 20. The usual plan, usually the plan that followed the class content, would get you 12 or 13 out of 20. The original plan, which meant the student had found an interesting way to answer the question, and most important, had come up with a plan that allowed him to have both the form and the content would get 15-18. Nobody gets over 18 on an essay in France.

This brings me to what has been on my mind as I worked on the first chapter last week, what was my methodology when it comes to rewriting/editing. I feel that when rewriting/editing I need to find that third plan that is different the usual. I think I have settled on a formula for now. I can always add to it in the future of course. Going chapter by chapter I will:

1.       First rewrite to change story details

2.       Light editing and fixing go over

3.       Second rewrite for adding atmosphere details and characterization, making sure the MRU and scene-sequel sequence are all in order.

4.       One final editing once the whole book has gone through the first three.

This week I’m also working on a new synopsis for my novel. I made one before the first draft of the story so it needs a little updating as the story has evolved since then. I’ve found that I get my best story ideas as I’m drifting off to sleep, though occasionally I don’t remember all the ideas the next morning.

Personal news: In one month my wife and I will be in Europe for two weeks. The plan is to visit friends and family in France and Switzerland.